During this time, through traffic will not be allowed to pass through the switchbacks on SR 89A. Motorists desiring to use 89A as a route between Sedona and Flagstaff are encouraged to use alternate routes. A hotline has been established to address questions of residents and businesses in the area. That number is (888) 236-4374.

What is a Retaining Wall?

In addition to the repair work on a retaining wall in Oak Creek Canyon, construction crews are nearing completion of a retaining wall south of the Village of Oak Creek, near the new Ranger station. A retaining wall is utilized when there is not enough room within the right-of-way to contain an embankment or hillside slope. Retaining walls are built to hold the earth in place and stabilize the soil and rock from erosion.

The wall, just north of the new Ranger Station, is one of six within Project 1 (there are 27 in Project 2). It is up to 19 feet high (or 19 feet below the roadway grade) and will have a 3.5-foot handrail installed on the top to allow pedestrians to walk on a graded path between the new sidewalk being built in the Village and the new Ranger Station south of the Village. The outside face of the wall will be roughened and stained to blend in with the natural hardscape. We are anticipating completion of this wall later this spring.

Heading north on SR 179, there is a small wall (6 ft) on the east side at Castle Rock Road, followed by larger one (19ft) on the west side near the Oak Creek Golf Course (used to control drainage from the golf course area). The other 3 retaining walls in Project 1 will be in the new southbound alignment near the HT Bridge, which is at approximately milepost 309.5.

SR 179 Communications

ADOT hosts Construction Chat on the first Thursday of each month from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. at the SR 179 Project Office in Bell Rock Plaza. The next Construction Chat will be Thursday, March 1.

Ongoing Work on SR 179

It is anticipated that crews will begin working more on Fridays and weekends to accelerate their progress. As always, traffic flow will be monitored and maintained at all times.

Construction of a retaining wall is ongoing south of the Village of Oak Creek where traffic has been shifted westward onto temporary pavement. There may be minor traffic impacts such as shoulder closures or construction vehicles needing access to the road, or lane closures of short durations with flaggers/DPS present.

Drainage work between the new Ranger Station and Ridge Trail Drive is ongoing. There may be minor traffic impacts such as shoulder closures or construction vehicles needing access to the road, or lane closures with flaggers/DPS present.

Crews have made progress breaking through the hard rock near Jack’s Canyon Road and expect to reopen the intersection to traffic in early March. Castle Rock Road on the east side of SR 179 is closed temporarily for storm drain work, with signs directing traffic to use either Cortez or Navajo Roads. It is anticipated that Castle Rock Road will be reopened in March.

Intermittent driveway closures are necessary for the construction of the new improved storm drain, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and driveways. These closures will be minimized to the extent possible and signage will be placed to assist with business access. Individual businesses will be given advance notice of these closures.

Work for new bridge construction in the forest segment is ongoing near milepost 309.5, and there may be short duration flagging operations. The HT Trail will be closed until Spring 2007.

Traffic at Back O Beyond is shifted to the east side of the road, so storm drain work can proceed on the west side. Temporary concrete barrier is installed to help traffic flow. There may be intermittent lane closures with flaggers/DPS present.

Project 2 Utility Work

Back O’ Beyond to Copper Cliffs (APS, Qwest and Cable Vision)
APS, Qwest and Cable Vision have begun their utility relocation work between Back O’ Beyond and Copper Cliffs. Their contractor has started trenching at the intersection of Arrow Dr and SR 179. They have also started to set the new overhead poles at Morgan Road and will continue working north towards Copper Cliffs. This work is planned to be completed by April 2007. The public can expect to see APS, Qwest and Cable Vision crews and their contractor adjacent to the roadway in this area.

Canyon to the Y (Arizona Water)
Arizona Water Company will be installing a new 16” water line between Canyon Drive and the Y (SR 179/89A). Their contractor has started potholing along the project limits and will begin underground work the first week of March. This work is scheduled to be completed by mid July. The public can expect to see Arizona Water crews and their contractor adjacent to and in the roadway in this area.

Hillside to Exposures Gallery (NPG Cable)
NPG Cable will be trenching on the west side of SR 179 across from Hillside’s south driveway to the Exposures Gallery. The work will require a lane shift of the SB traffic. NPG has contacted the adjacent businesses (including Inn on Oak Creek and Hillside management) to provide notice of this work, and agreed to do the trenching March 5th, 6th and 7th to avoid a special event on the previous Friday.